Donegal is a wonderful destination on the Wild Atlantic Way,
especially if you love a good adventure! Whatever the time of year there really
is no better place to be than Donegal. Immerse yourself in the wonders of
nature and take a break from the fast pace of daily life with a walking holiday
in Donegal this autumn. Each season brings newness to the many rich and vibrant
landscapes in County Donegal and autumn brings a particularly show stopping
display of glorious colour to Donegal. This is the perfect time of year to wrap
up and go walking. There are many waymarked ways, national looped walks,
coastal paths, island loops and mountain walks. If you are looking for a relaxed
paced stroll or a more challenging hike, Donegal has something for everyone. Here
we bring you a selection of some of the best walks in Donegal to enjoy this autumn
that are suitable for all.
Inch Wildfowl Reserve is in Inishowen and features a scenic
pathway around the lake edge with panoramic views of the surrounding
agricultural landscape and wetlands. Nestled in the shadows of Scalp Mountain
on the eastern shores of Lough Swilly, tucked neatly behind Inch Island, you
will find Inch Wildfowl Reserve. Once part of Lough Swilly the area was drained
and reclaimed for farmland, each winter the site hosts thousands of migratory
birds. The conditions here are perfect for over-wintering geese, for whooper
swans and nesting gulls, for ducks, grebes and wading birds. The site includes
a popular 8km looped path with seating, viewpoints and a number of bird hides
open to the public. Three car parks are available to visitors including a
disabled viewing area and coach parking. An Grianán Hotel is not far from Inch Wildfowl Reserve if you plan on staying overnight in the area. 
Ards Forest Park this time of year is awash with beautiful
autumnal colour. Located between Creeslough and Dunfanaghy, Ards Forest Park is
one of the most beautiful parks in Donegal. It is 480 hectares in size and is
home to a variety of flora and fauna. Ards Forest Park has much to discover
with sandy beaches, rivers, viewing points, nature walks, picnic and play areas
to enjoy. Ards Forest Park has a number of trails, the Arts Heritage Trail is
3.5km long, the nature trail and the green trail which are both 3km long and
the Red Trail which is 13km long. This walk includes some shortcuts back to the
starting point should the weather change. Ards Forest Park offers a display of
autumnal colour this time of year that rivals many of the world’s most famous
autumn destinations and you may even catch a glimpse of local deer that roam
freely through the forest year round. You will find an excellent map of Ards Forest Park on the Coillte Irish forestry website along with many other path and trail maps. Check out the family run Arnold's Hotel in Dunfanaghy for some amazing autumn/winter break offers.* Thanks to Dan Palooga and Arnold's Hotel for the amazing photos of Ards Forest Park in Autumn.
As the autumn rain falls, this increases the flow of Glenevin Waterfall near Clonmany making the waterfall especially vibrant at this
time. Glenevin is one of the most
beautiful waterfalls in Donegal; this is the perfect place for some autumn
exploration. Walk along mature deciduous woodland pathways that are safe and
well sign-posted. Against the backdrop of the rugged high ground of Raghtin
More, a walk up Glenevin Valley is exceptional. There are various picnic areas and
footbridges dotted along the well maintained pathway. This walk is suitable for
all abilities as it is not too strenuous, but and it offers an array of autumn
colours in this wooded stream valley. The perfect place for photography or
painting enthusiasts to hone their craft. The walk takes you to Glenevin
Waterfall where you will be rewarded with the glorious sight of the gushing
waterfall; one of Inishowen’s most spectacular natural attractions. Find out more on the region from Ballyliffin Clonmany Tourism on Facebook.
For more breathtaking autumn colour, get on your walking
boots and head out to tread the pathway at Burtonport Railway Walk. This is a 6
km route through one of the most wild and remote areas of Donegal with
panoramic views. Follow the route of the railway line to Burtonport as it runs
along Muckish Mountain from Creeslough to Falcarragh. The natural colours of
autumn are awash across the heath and hills this time of year. This walking
route takes in lough Agher and cuts through rocky outcrops where you can
observe some of the engineering fetes involved in the construction of the
original railway line. The route has a gradual elevation and is mostly level
with the downhill trend heading in the Falcarragh direction. Cosy up in one of the 'heated' wooden pods at the Wild Atlantic Camp in Creeslough for a unique autumnal nights stay.
Take in a breath of refreshing Atlantic sea air with a walk
along Buncrana Shore in Inishowen. At 2.3km one way the Buncrana shore-path is
a traffic free walk along the coast that follows the shoreline of Lough Swilly
between Buncrana and Stragill Strand. This beautiful area was the inspiration
for John Newton’s famous hymn ‘Amazing Grace’ and it is easy to see why Lough
Swilly was his muse. New information panels along the route tell the tales of
the many years of maritime history and heritage of the area. Buncrana shore
walk is a gentle path alongside beaches, an old military fort called Ned’s
Point and there are picnic areas plus a children’s play park along the way if
you fancy a stop off. Spot the local coastal wildlife and take in the panoramic
views that are simply unforgettable. Warm up with a hot chocolate and delicious home bakes at Tank and Skinny's coffee shop after your coastal walk or relax and unwind with an overnight stay in the Inishowen Gateway Hotel in Buncrana.
Autumn in Donegal is a season that is wild and untamed and
brings to mind the Shelley poem ‘Ode to the West Wind’! Start planning your
Wild Atlantic Way autumn walking adventure in Donegal on www.govisitdonegal.com
Ode to the West Wind
by Percy Bysshe Shelley
“O Wild West Wind, thou breath of Autumn’s being,
Thou, from whose unseen presence the leaves dead
Are driven, like ghosts from an enchanter fleeing
Yellow, and black, and pale, and hectic red,
Pestilence-stricken multitudes: O thou,
Who chariotest to their dark wintry bed”
Thou, from whose unseen presence the leaves dead
Are driven, like ghosts from an enchanter fleeing
Yellow, and black, and pale, and hectic red,
Pestilence-stricken multitudes: O thou,
Who chariotest to their dark wintry bed”
